“I was hopeful we would sign Wayne Rooney this summer and I am hopeful that we still can," the French side's captain says

Paris St-Germain captain Thiago Silva has urged his club to step up their pursuit of Wayne Rooney.

On the eve of today’s Manchester derby, the brilliant Brazil defender warned that the French champions will not give up on their bid to prise Rooney away from Old Trafford.

Silva said: “I was hopeful we would sign Wayne Rooney this summer and I am hopeful that we still can.”

United have insisted their No.10 is not for sale.

But with David Moyes making it clear that Sir Alex Ferguson’s glowing midweek tribute to Rooney should not be perceived as an ‘olive branch’, PSG have been given encouragement that a deal can be struck.

Silva added: “It is clear his future at Manchester United is not certain.

“The player himself has made it clear that he would like a new challenge.

“If he still feels that way in January or even next summer then, once again I would urge him to come and join PSG. We are the most exciting project in European football and it is clear from the ambition of our owners that we are going to be successful.”

Dean Mouhtaropoulos

Wanted: Thiago Silva is keen for Wayne Rooney to sign

Silva’s plea to Rooney will not be well received. United are hoping that the 27-year-old’s return to form shows he is settled following a summer of unrest caused by Ferguson claiming that the player had demanded a transfer.

Fergie used his first television interview, since being succeeded by Moyes, to lavish praise on Rooney following his two-goal contribution to United’s 4-2 Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen.

But Moyes said: “I don’t think it was an olive branch. I thought Sir Alex was just talking about how well the boy has played. I think Sir Alex saw a Wayne Rooney full of desire and determination, who was turning and beating people, who was committed, who scored a couple of good goals.